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Molecular technologies
Molecular markers
Genes are the basic units of information that form the 'blueprint' for all life. Genes are joined together in long strands of DNA, which are found inside every plant cell. When we know what genes a plant has and what those genes mean, we can tell:
- what a plant will look like
- how much grain it will produce
- whether it can thrive in certain conditions (drought, disease, salty soils etc).
These are all things a plant breeder needs to know if he or she is going to develop a new variety of wheat that will be better for farmers and consumers.
But locating the exact gene you're after can be difficult. How do you find one gene in 30,000?
Molecular markers are the genetic signposts that flag the presence of genes that control particular traits. They are special segments of DNA - located very close to the gene of interest - that are easier for scientists to find. Once we know about a useful molecular marker, plant breeders can test the seeds or leaves of a plant to make sure it has the gene they are looking for.
For example, by identifying a gene that controls a plant's ability to tolerate salt, we can develop new lines of wheat that can grow in areas affected by salinity.
Plant breeding used to take many years, as breeders would need to grow many thousands of plants under particular conditions. For example, if we were looking for salt tolerance, the plants would need to be grown in a saline environment to see which plants yielded less and which flourished.
Using molecular markers, we can identify the presence of a gene directly from a sample of plant or grain without resorting to the more lengthy process of screening for physical and chemical characteristics.
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering is the process of removing, modifying or adding genes to a strand of DNA to change the information it contains. Altering this information results in specific changes in the type or amounts of protein a plant can produce.
For example, ryegrass produces a protein in its pollen that causes an allergic reaction in humans. By 'switching off' the gene responsible for producing this allergen, we can develop grasses that do not produce an allergic reaction, thereby easing the burden of hay fever on the community.
MPBCRC research programs - focussing on outputs
MPB is working on a number of research initiatives that will confer real benefits to Australian agricultural industries. MPB research will one day contribute to the following outcomes.
Pastures
- Grasses and clovers with improved herbage quality and nutritive value to ensure healthier livestock
- Low-allergen grasses to reduce the burden of hay fever, a condition suffered by millions of Australians
- Grasses with natural defences to insects, to ensure richer, greener pastures
- Clovers which prevent livestock from developing bloat, a condition that can result in illness or death
Wheat
- Wheats with tolerance to environmental stresses such as low moisture and waterlogging
- Disease resistant wheats to prevent the millions of dollars lost to fungal and nematode infection annually
- Wheats with tolerance to salinity
- Premium quality wheats to suit Asian export markets
- Wheats that are not susceptible to preharvest sprouting: the germination of the grain prior to harvest, which can substantially reduce grain quality
Barley
- Barleys of extremely high quality for malting
- Barleys with tolerance to:
- drought
- salinity
- disease
- preharvest sprouting
Technology
- Molecular markers and marker-trait maps
- Cheap and rapid technologies for routine implementation in breeding programs
- Bioinformatics - software to help analyse and understand DNA sequence information
- Software for predicting the offspring characteristics that will be produced from crossing different varieties of wheat
Program structure
High quality basic and applied research will be delivered through three research programs and a commercialisation program:
1. Transgenics: Developing gene systems and delivering transgenic technologies
Areas of research include:
- identification of new genes and gene systems
- interactions between plants, the environment and plant diseases
- transformation systems (the process of genetic engineering)
- strategies for transgene-based breeding
- impact and risk assessment of genetically modified organisms
2. New molecular technologies
Areas of research include:
- plant breeding strategies based on genetic screening
- identification of molecular markers
- molecular marker assisted selection
- breeders' software for predicting the outcome of plant cross-breeding
- tools and systems for the analysis of complex databases for molecular plant breeding
3. Markers and genetic solutions
Areas of research include:
- the genetic basis of key traits that provide disease resistance and tolerance to environmental stresses
- identification of markers linked to traits for use in molecular breeding
- strategies for marker implementation
- improved germplasm (plant breeding lines) using molecular marker technologies
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